Pages

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Diet Melanie, Caffeine Free (and Blog Candy)

No, this is not a new soda, this is the new and improved me, soda free! (I've never been a big caffeine person, I would just drink an occasional soda (coffee smells and tastes heavenly, but it makes me jittery, I really don't need the extra energy, I'm kind of already a little hyper as it, you know? (can you tell how fast I'm going?!) so I almost never drink it, we're talking like a couple times a year, when I go get my favorite lavender mocha) but I have been a fan of Coke Zero for quite a while. I'd have one every other day, maybe once a day as a treat. They're calorie free, so what could it hurt? Well. It got really, really, REALLY hot here this summer. And sodas were on sale... so I bought a stash of Vanilla Coke Zero AND Diet Coke with Lime in addition to my regular Coke Zero. And being as hot as it was... my once-a-day soda, turned into about three. I noticed my sleep was a LOT more disrupted than usual. I'd also been having trouble being able to donate blood because my iron was too low to qualify. I found out caffeine blocks your iron absorption. Although my husband had been telling me for quite awhile that soda doesn't hydrate you (but he drinks them, too!), I finally started to believe him.

So now, water is my friend. I haven't had sodas for over three months and I am completely OVER it! My mood is so much more even and I sleep like a baby, go down quickly and wake up 8 hours later in pretty much the same position I lay down, feeling alert and rested. Wow! Nice! I've noticed too I don't feel all bloated, and I've read many times that drinking diet sodas make you want to eat more, because of the empty calories. I believe it! Anyway, I don't miss the soda. What do I drink now at my desk? Water. Wonderful caffeine free teas.

Just thought I'd share in case maybe any of you have wondered how much caffeine affects you, or maybe even very small amounts could be throwing you off. It can be hard to quit because you usually get headaches from withdrawal, no fun, but when you stay super-hydrated, you really don't and being hydrated is key. Unfortunately, my iron was still too low to donate blood these last two months, I wondered how could my iron be low now? Get this: I am so hydrated my blood is "runny" says the tech, and it's diluting my iron! Huh, go figure! It's a better problem to have, for sure.

I am also super excited to tell you about my recent weight loss (10 pounds and counting!) and the huge changes I've made in how I eat, I hope it will inspire and encourage you, I just really needed to finish and post this since I started it for you at the end of the summer! Hello Fall! (I am also trying to get my craft room super clean so I have room to craft, that was getting a little out of control, too!)

Have you made a healthy change in your life/schedule recently? Please share! Leave a comment below, I will draw one name tomorrow to win a copy of my set "Spring Basket", great for mixing with my most recent sets: Holiday Basket, Basket Additions, and Basket Buddies! (BTW, I am so stinkin' excited for you to see what I have coming out for you in a couple weeks, eek!)

Have a terrific day! (tea-rific! I really should go make a tea card with Mugs and Kisses...hmmm...) :)

39 comments:

Great job, Mel. That's a hard one for me to give up. My change lately has been to take a 30 minute walk in the morning. I am so challenged to find time to exercise regularly. So, I decided that when I walk my son out to the bus stop in the morning, I would just keep walking, down and around the neighborhood, up an extra street or two. I'm trying to make it a habit.

Yep! I have gone on weight watchers and doing well. Also stopped taking meds that were probably hurting me anyway. I've noticed improved mobility in my knees and am sleeping a little better too. I plan to keep it up until I'm back to "where I should be"!!

I've been off caffeine for a very long time and I know it helps tremendously. I drink water most of the time but I think I need to up my water intake. My DH and I have added walking to our evening routines. Exercise makes a big difference too. I'd love to lose ten more pounds so I'd be interested to read how you changed your diet. Thanks for sharing!

Way to go Mel!!! I want to give up sodas...I have been craving them something terrible lately and overindulging. Diet Cherry Pepsi is my soda of choice...but decided after vacation to go cold-turkey. Well, that was a week ago and seems...today is the day after reading your inspiring post. Will see how it goes :)

Well congratulations! I'm trying to ween myself off of my guilty plesure... diet cherry vanilla DR Pepper!!! It is awesome... but, I've been mostly unemployed the last two years and hubby just got laid off from company he's worked for 41 years... but God has been so faithful during the past 2 yrs and I know He will continue to take care of us and I'm very aware that there are also so many families out there who are truly suffering... So I'm cutting back where I can and those sodas aren't cheap even when on sale... Having a slight headache-y feeling the last two days which I figure is the caffeine withdrawal but this too shall pass, right?!It will be interesting to see if my urge to snack in the evening after supper diminishes or disappears completely just by removing the caffeiene from my diet... I'll let you know... I love everything you do Mel and am so thankful at your willingness to share your talents and ideas... thanks so much!Would love to win some blog candy... don't think I can do any shopping for the foreseeable future! Guess I'm gonna have to get reacquainted with what I already have (and have forgotten that I have)! ;)

Well done Mel! Keep up the Great Work! Right now I am having a hard time with keeping on track with daily walks and exercise, which I dearly miss, due to family issues and stress. I stay away from caffeine but do love green tea, and sodas have never really done it for me. I tend to put myself second to family needs, even though I shouldn't. Even with all that is going on in my life right now I have managed to bring my blood pressure under control and no longer require medication to regulate it. Yippee!

Good for you. I am becoming more aware of how important it is to take care of ourselves and especially now in my 60's. Last week I decided to take charge; I am on Reliv products now. I know what incredible results people have with them so I am excited that I will be feeling better, having more energy, and yes, losing some weight very soon.

In the last 5 months I have lost 30 pounds by diet and exercise. I do not eat anything with processed sugar and try to stay away from anything made with white flour. I drink at least 4 big bottles (25 ozs each) of water a day, and have limited myself to only one cup of coffee in the morning. Soda has been eliminated from my diet and from my families diet for at least a year. I just don't buy it anymore. Keep up the great work.

Hi Melanie, wow, congrats on ditching the soda. I haven't had a soda in over 2 years. I had a kidneys stone and swore off soda since then. Not that it had anything to do with the stone. LOL. I made a Walking journal from a composition notebook and log my time, steps, calories burned, etc. I have lost 20 lbs in 4 months. I started running and I feel great. Mind you, I am in my 50's and I feel better than I have in decades. I started logging any inspirational tips into my journal to help me stay on track. I love herbal teas and WATER.

Nice to see you put this on your blog. I just cleaned out my craft area in the basement.

I have all 20 bins of Christmas decoration out and I have started decorating. It takes me a few days to get the house decorated, then I will go back to my scrapbooking and card making. Have a wonderful day.

Congratulations. I gave up soda about 5-6 years ago. I used to have a Dr. Pepper with me at all times. I started Weight Watchers and little by little any drinks with sugar are too sweet. I only drink Tea with no sugar and water, will have juice once in awhile but it is a thick fruit enhanced one.

Great job! I have recently cut back on the amount of coffee that I drink in the evening. It doesn't seem to effect me like it does others. Of course, the milk and sugar that I add to my coffee wasn't helping my weight and fit of my clothes. I also have made a concerted effort to do a better job of portion control too. Now I am five to six pounds lighter and happier about how my clothes fit!

Great job!! I don't drink but maybe 1 or 2 sodas a year and then they are diet. I do try and drink a lot of water, especially since I have gained so much since I retired from the Army!! i am trying to drink more water and lose a few pounds. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win!

Great work, Mel! Isn't it wonderful to see such immediately results from the changes you make? I've recently determined to get more rest/sleep. I've been really awful to myself that way for many years. Now, instead of accomplishing less because I'm sleeping enough, I'm actually accomplishing more during my waking hours. Silly me! I should have known!

Does getting a kitten count? You can't help but take a break from the hustle and bustle of life when this furry ball snuggles onto your chest or your lap and wants to share their easily-attained relaxation mode with you for an extended period of time. Listening to the purring and then the non-sound of peacefulness -- definitely helps settle the human spirit!

WTG, Melanie! I was where you are several years ago...diet pepsi and I were best friends....I learned that it's not just the caffeine that destroys us, it's the phosphoric acid they use for the "fizz". Here's a link to some good information. http://www.organicconsumers.org/school/cocacola021605.cfmAlso, they call them "diet" drinks, but the only time we lose weight is when we stop drinking them (hmmmm).Congratulations on the weight loss. High Five!!!!

Fantastic job Mel!! It makes a whole lot of difference to your life with all the little changes don't yo think!!! 11 weeks ago I started a 12 week health and fitness challenge which included a huge dietary change and personal training sessions twice a week ( I had never done paid exercise before then) and to date I have lost 11 kilos (about 24 pounds I think) I still have 4.5 kilos to go but I am feeling fit and fabulous!!! Congrats again!! HUgsxx

Good for you! I'm a diabetic, and I've been drinking water only when I'm out (and water and/or iced tea unsweetened at home) for over 9 years! I'm starting a new diet this week, bless my brother who has lost over 50 pounds since June - so we'll see how this goes! Thanks also for a chance to win.

Great job I can't imagine how hard this must have been.I am a diabetic and lucky for me I am a very occasional diet coke drinker;mostly I drink ice water or Crystal Lite pink lemonade-diluted at that-lol.I want to give you a great thumbs up for your determination.Keep it up girl.I do have to say I LOVE all of your stamps.You are one creative lady.

That's wonderful! The only one in our family that drank a lot of water was my husband. Me and the kids didn't like the taste of our well water. So in August we decided to get bottled spring water delievered to our house. Now everyone drinks more water and less pop and cafinated drinks. It has felt great to have good water to drink.

Way to go Mel!!! I gave up sodas years ago and now rarely have one, maybe 2 or 3 a year. As for recent changes, I have been working very hard on increasing my whole grains and reducing highly processed grains. It is hard at times some things just don't taste as good. Luckily though others are just as good if not better. Thank you for a chance to win one of your fabulous sets.

Congrats, Melanie!! For being soda free and losing 10 lbs!! That's a great achievement. I don't drink soda, nor coffee(maybe ocassionally) and my best friend is water!! Even during the winter when I'm in NZ, I drink only water instead of hot chocolate or tea. Having a mum who is a diabetic also forces me to watch what I eat and drink. But...I can't give up ice-creams & chocolates. Hehe. Have a great day!

Good for you Melanie! I hope you meet your new weight goals. I've had kidney stones twice. The last attack was over 7 years ago. I have been on distilled water only for almost 3 years. I also add lemon to the water, that prevents the formation of new stones. One important thing to remember is you need to make sure your are getting enough salt if you drink lots of water. One quarter teaspoon for every quart (32 oz). I also take a sublingual vitamin B complex tablet. A few years ago I read "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" by Dr. Batmanghelidj, MD. He says that the minimum amount of water to drink for each person is: half your body weight in ounces daily. It's a great read if you are interested in staying healthy.

I'd love a chance to win a stamp set. I have a couple of your stamp sets and I love them. Thanks for all your inspiration Mel.

Just what I Need to hear..Im reading the book EAT CLEAN DIET by TUSCA RENA...so iM working on improving by eating habits too..I dont drink any soda either..mostly water..Trying to stay away from junk food

Way to go Melanie. Quitting diet pop is really hard to do. One of the changes i made recently was to eat a better breakfast that is good for your heart. I eat oatmeal with added flax, fruit and walnuts or almonds. Taste great and makes a great breakfast.

Good job Melanie!! I too used to be a diet pop, caffeine drinker. Once in a great while I will still have one but the horrible headache the next day hardly makes it worth it. I drink tons of water. I carry a gallon jug with a straw everywhere I go. I get lots of comments about its size. I drink 3-4 of these jugs a day. I feel so much better since I quit the caffeine, plus the water is cheaper too. I also pay close attention to nutrition labels. Its scary when you see what's in the food you eat.

Thanks for the chance to win one of your stamp sets. I have a number of them on my wish list.

Great job Melanie! Especially giving up the diet pop, that is something I haven't mastered yet. I just recently lost 15 pounds (with the intention to lose 20 - these last five are hard!). I gave up (mostly) junk food and cut back the sugar. I also make sure now that I never skip meals, something I've had a bad habit of doing in the past.

Hi. I have never been a fan of "soft drinks", and ESPECIALLY of diet ones. I don't know if anyone in the comments has addressed "excitotoxins", but diet stuff is FULL of it. Google "excitotoxins", and you will never even look at aspartame again!(can I use that work on here?) I am drinking more ionized and purified water...still drink coffee though. Starting my walking regimen again, and am looking to lose a few pounds as well. Love your site.Marian

See more of my cards here

Copyright Notice

All Content including, designs, concepts, text, and photographs are COPYRIGHT2018 Melanie Muenchinger. Original artworks are shared for your personal enjoyment only and may not be used for publications (print or online), galleries or contests. Thanks so much for your support!

Follow by Email

Illustrator

About Me

I am a stamp illustrator, author and Senior Design Team Member for Gina K Designs and a WAHM of two terrific boys. I've been stamping and creating cards and other papercrafts for 14 years, and was one of the Splitcoast Original Dirty Dozen Team (melmel). My first book of stamping tutorials came out in January 2012 and the second in May 2013. God has blessed me beyond measure with opportunities to use my gifts and a loving husband who supports my work and art. I pray you find inspiration in the creations and stories I post here!